Midwest Part 1: A "Good" Little Mishap

We woke early the morning we left for our Midwest family vacation in order to catch the airport shuttle from our hotel. Being the careful, meticulous people that we are, we had our girl set to go and our luggage ready to load just as the driver arrived. Mr. Wagner then rushed back to our hotel room to lug the car seat down while Yours Truly gave our excessive luggage to the driver to load. We all settled into the full shuttle and minutes later, were unloaded like a herd of cattle at the terminal. It was only during the commotion of unloading that we realized that we'd left our sole carry-on bag in the lobby of the hotel (OK, I admit...it was actually me who left the bag). Mr. Wagner was kind enough to keep the blame to a minimum as he jumped back into the shuttle to retrieve the bag while the Little Miss and I stayed to check into the flight.

Little did we know at the time that God had a plan all along. As Mr. Wagner was profusely apologizing to the driver on their way back to the hotel, the driver replied something to the effect of "Oh, don't worry about it. You can only imagine the things that people leave. I've had to go back to the hotel to retrieve wedding rings...you name it!".

Wedding rings? Really? Ummmm...Mr. Wagner looked down suddenly realizing that he'd taken his off in the hotel room and it was not on his finger. Yesiree, I like to think that God allowed my bag-forgetting-mishap just so my dear hubby would have the opportunity to go back and retrieve his symbol of wedded bliss. It was a good thing because Mr. Wagner couldn't exactly hold a grudge when he got back to the airport...

Don't you just love when God shows His sense of humor?

(As for the flight, yes indeed, we all still made it on time).

I Would Do It All Again

Not a day goes by where I don't stop and think of how incredibly blessed I am to be the Mrs. of my Mr. Wagner. If I knew then all that I now know, I would still say "I do" with great pleasure and not a moment of hesitation.

I've always been told that marriage is a major adjustment. With you Mr. Wagner, it was as if the final piece of a beautiful puzzle was put in place. The transition felt completely natural and exactly right from the beginning. Of course a good marriage takes continual effort but I'm convinced it will feel effortless when we keep Jesus at the center.

I love you Mr. Wagner and would marry you all over again. I look forward to sharing many, many, many more years to come.

Happy Anniversary!

The Gift of Motherhood

I absolutely love being a mother. I am blessed every day by the best job in the whole world. No matter the low-paying salary or the lack of accolades, it’s hands down the best honor that a woman could ever ask for.

Unlike most moms, I can’t say that I remember my daughter’s birth or the labor pains (considering I wasn’t actually awake for her birth or the first 30 hours of her life). I often feel out of place around women who are talking about their childbirth experiences because I totally cannot relate. I used to leave situations like that feeling inadequate as a woman and a mother.

Thankfully I’ve discovered that motherhood is not solely defined by sharing your birth canal. Please don’t get me wrong. I have huge admiration for every woman who has ever experienced labor. HUGE. However, to get to the place of accepting that I wasn’t (consciously) there when the Little Miss was born and to not feel guilty by the fact that I didn’t even see her until she was 3 days old, my views of true motherhood had to change.

I’ve learned that women aren’t automatically given a “good mother” award the moment their first child is born. It’s not a onetime stamp-of-approval and isn’t completely due to instinct. This award can only come with time, trials, practice, and the knowledge that it will be tested again and again. Even then, being “good” is not good enough.

I hope I reflect the ways of a good mom. More so however, I pray that I will become a “godly” mother. Not by my strength but His, I pray that Jesus will make me into a Proverbs 31 sort of mom. I pray that the light of Christ will shine through me and that strength and honor will surround me. I pray that my words will be full of wisdom and kindness and that I will care for the needs of my family and provide for them daily. I pray that someday:

“Her children will rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her”…”Charm is deceitful and beautify is passing but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Prov 31:28-30)

Have I yet attained this? Not. even. close. It will take the rest of my life for Jesus to transform me into a Proverbs 31 wife and mother. I will continue to praise Him for His grace every time I fail to live up to the standard. I will always be so thankful for the gift of motherhood.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms, moms-to-be, and like-moms-to-so-many out there!

There's Just Something About It

There's just something captivating and soul-stirring about a daddy singing songs with his little girl as she gets ready for bed. Talk about melting a woman's heart as she listens to her two favorite superstars! American Idol may not be ready for "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or "Jesus Loves Me" renditions but what do they know? My oh my how I love thee.

If Only I Had Known

Dearest Mr. Wagner, If only I had known:

• That we would both eat something bad the last day of our honeymoon and would be sick with "the runs" for the following month.
• That you truly are more mischievous than me (regardless of what anyone else might say).
• That our marriage would undergo the "in sickness and in health" trial so soon.
• That you'd say "incoming torpedo!" at the most inopportune time during my hospital stay.
• That you'd hold me to the "whoever is holding her" diaper changing rule for so long.
• That you really would have made a good attorney.

If only I had known, Dear Hubby, I would have said "Yes!" all over again.

Happy Anniversary!

Love forever,

Mrs. Wagner